“What did you say?!” Her mother–in–law cut
her off.
“You worthless trash! Are you itching for a
beating?! Who gave you permission to say
that? Playing the good Samaritan, huh?
You’re so pathetic, volunteering to take care
of her postpartum!”
In front of everyone, Samantha’s mother–in-
law slapped her across the face, then pinched
her arms and stomach, making Samantha cry
out in pain, but she dared not resist.
The coworkers whispered amongst
themselves. Samantha sobbed. “Mom, Mom,
stop! I’ll give you money, I’ll give you money!”
The mention of money stopped her mother-
in–law’s hand. Samantha, tearfully, pulled out
a card, which her mother–in–law snatched.
“You worthless trash, hiding your money!”
“This is my bonus…Mom, just let Tiffany stay
for a month… I’ll work harder next month…”
With the money in hand, Samantha’s mother-
in–law stopped her attack. She coldly snorted
at Samantha. “Get back to work and earn
double next month!”
Samantha, overjoyed, went to Tiffany.
“Tiffany, don’t worry, I won’t let you down!”
Tiffany sobbed theatrically. “Samantha, you’re
the best!”
Some coworkers praised Samantha.
“Samantha’s a true friend, willing to go the
extra mile for her friend!”
Amidst the praise, Samantha gave me a smug
look.
I stayed silent, wanting to see how long
Samantha could put up with Tiffany’s never-
ending demands.
The next day, Samantha was cheerful. She
bragged about Rory.
“Rory’s so good! She doesn’t cry at night, she
blows bubbles, she’s adorable!”
“Such a sweet child. Someone actually called
―
her ugly what a nasty, heartless person!”
Samantha glared at me.
A coworker who saw Rory that day.
commented, “Tiffany’s child… doesn’t really
look good.”
Samantha immediately retorted. “What’s
wrong with her looks? She’s a baby! Don’t be
as heartless as someone!”
The coworker shut up quickly.
For the next few days, Samantha praised
Rory and belittled me. At first, coworkers
engaged, but soon grew tired of it. Eventually,
—
Samantha stopped her dark circles grew
worse, her skin turned sallow, and she looked
exhausted.
Clearly, she was sleep–deprived and
overworked. Taking care of a sickly child
wasn’t easy, was it?
A month later, Tiffany returned with
Samantha, carrying several cups of bubble
tea, which she enthusiastically distributed to
colleagues. She gave me a drink and a fancy
pastry.
Samantha chimed in, “Claire, look how nice
Tiffany is to you! Even after what you did, she
doesn’t hold a grudge. That’s what we call
class!”
I looked at the treats on my desk and said
nothing.
Some coworkers who accepted the bubble
tea echoed Samantha’s words.
“Claire, you’re colleagues, and you were close
before. You should help each other.”
“It’s always good to be helpful.”
The chorus of agreement made Tiffany and
Samantha beam.
Samantha turned to me. “Claire, Tiffany
stayed at my place for a month, I put in the
effort, so you should pay.”
“We won’t ask for much, we know you’re
stingy. Just 20,000 for the month.”
I looked them up and down. Both had an air
of entitlement.
“Why should I?”
Tiffany frowned. “Claire, how can you even
ask that? Didn’t you hear what everyone
said?”
“I did. So?” I smiled slightly. “I wouldn’t even
give that to a dog.”
Samantha exploded.
“Claire, you’re shameless! Tiffany gave you
bubble tea and a pastry! We’ve known each
other for so long, how can you be so
heartless!”
I raised my voice, playing on their words.
“Colleagues, Samantha and Tiffany said that
since you all drank their bubble tea and have
known them for so long, you should all chip in
to cover Tiffany’s month–long postpartum
expenses
20,000. Cash or transfer?”
The office fell silent. They looked at each
other.
“Are you crazy? It’s not my baby, why should I
pay for her postpartum care?”
“You drank their bubble tea! You’ve all known
each other for so long! You should help each
other!”
“A cup of bubble tea isn’t worth much… I’ll
return mine now!”
“Shouldn’t you help others?”
“Helping people isn’t like this! What does it
have to do with us?”
I watched them. One colleague turned to
Tiffany. “Tiffany, if I remember correctly, you
got pregnant out of wedlock, right? A young
woman should be more careful…”
Others agreed.
Tiffany blushed, Samantha smiled awkwardly.
They returned to their seats, silent.
During a break, in the restroom, I overheard
their conversation.
“Tiffany, you’ve been at my place for a month,
my mother–in–law is unhappy. Maybe you
should…”
Samantha was cut off by Tiffany.
Tiffany whined, “Samantha, are you kicking
me out? Give your money to your mother–in-
law, then she won’t say anything. You know,
Rory has Down syndrome, she’s hard to care
for. We’re such good friends. You should help
me.”
“I don’t have much money!”
“Then earn more! You said you wouldn’t
ignore me! The whole office heard!”
“How much can I earn? It’s not enough for
you, and I don’t have any money to give to my
mother–in–law. You should have savings, give
<
me your savings.”
